I’m not ready to jump off a ledge just yet, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit scared right now.

At a time when the Mets should be playing their best baseball, we have instead been witness to shoddy defense, horrendous relief pitching, and a lackluster approach at the plate. The Mets are reeling.

Jose Reyes has become a liability in September, Carlos Delgado is still a no-show after a dismal season at the plate, and nobody has stepped up on offense when it comes to leadership. Nobody.

Willie Randolph continues to say "it’s no big deal", "I’m not worried", "we’ll be fine", "I’m not angry", should I continue with his keen observations?

It is a big deal… I am worried… I’m not so sure that we’ll be fine… And I am angry!

The Mets’ lead in the division has now fallen to 2 1/2 games. The odds that they will win the division have fallen dramatically in Las Vegas, despite the high hopes of the fans and the passive attitudes of the players.

The Mets are taking everything for granted.

They have decided to give Pedro Martinez five days rest in between starts, despite the fact that Pedro was more than willing to go on four days like his other teammates in the rotation.

Willie Randolph keeps saying that El Duque is fine, but last night in the dugout, Hernandez was limping around and now sporting a boot on his foot. El Duque said he is not close to being ready to pitch after last nights game.

That adds up to at least four more starts from Brian Lawrence and Mike Pelfrey in the final 13 games with the Phillies breathing down their necks. How does that float your boat?

The greatest thrill that the Marlins and Nationals can squeeze out of their dismal seasons, would be to derail the Mets’ playoff run. Each team’s managers have openly talked about it and used it to rally their teams one final time before closing out the 2007 season. They are playing for pride, pulling out all the stops, and would consider it a badge of honor to sink the Mets.

Despite an inconsistent starting rotation and an awful bullpen, the Phillies are going for broke. Unlike the Mets who have nobody willing to step up and lead, the Phillies’ Jimmy Rollins, Aaron Rowand, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have all been vocal in the clubhouse and in the press about their next 12 games. "If we need to score 10 runs per game to overcome our poor pitching then that’s what we’ll do." They also get their young phenom Cole Hamels back in their rotation tonight after missing a month of action.

Are you wondering what the Mets have to say about their latest crisis?

Here is what Paul Lo Duca said last night after the game.

"We get paid a lot of money and we’re not playing the game the right way. We’re lackadaisical on defense. We swung the bats a little better tonight, but it just seems like we’re not really playing to win. It needs to turn around quickly or we’re going to be going home."

Going home?? Did I hear that correctly?

The usually upbeat and positive David Wright added this…

"We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. The intensity is there. The will to win is there. I just don’t think the execution is there."

The execution is not there? With only two weeks left to the season??

So there you have it. The two most vocal players on the team sounding like they are jumping off of a sinking ship. Not exactly the kind of inspiring words I was hoping to hear after another Mets meltdown.

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73, '00 and '15, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction and interact with other passionate Met fans like you. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

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